Chris Christie Tells GOP Foes to ‘Stop Complaining’ About Debates

Chris Christie isn’t joining the GOP presidential candidates who’ve declared their collective demands to TV news networks for future debates.

“Stop complaining,” the New Jersey governor said on Monday about his competitors who co-signed a letter to news networks holding future presidential debates with a list of demands.

“Do me a favor, set up a stage, put podiums up there and let’s just go,” he continued.

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Christie, along with Donald Trump, Ohio Governor John Kasich and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina declined to sign on to the letter.

Kasich said he isn’t focused on making changes to upcoming debates: “Whatever we’re doing, that’s what we’ll do. Play it where it lies,” he said.

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A Fiorina representative said, “These debates are an important chance for voters to see conservative candidates under pressure and over time…we have consistently and successfully discussed our concerns with the networks and the voters — and not behind closed doors like the political class seems to like to do.”

And the Donald refused to sign on as well, deciding to negotiate with networks himself. A senior staffer of another campaign told CNN that the trio’s refusal to sign the letter made the candidates’ demands less effective.

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“This makes last night’s meeting a total waste of time,” the staffer said. “It only works if everybody signs it.”

The demands GOP candidates made to the networks included limiting the debates to two hours in length, having 30-second opening and closing statements, barring moderators from asking questions that require candidates to raise their hands, eliminating lightning-round questions and keeping the temperature in the building below 67 degrees.